Ansah is an impressive physical specimen that lit it up at the combine. He has impressive size at 6'0 1/4, 207 lbs and ran a 4.47 40 at the combine. He did not lift because of a shoulder injury and worked out again recently at the Ohio State Pro Day and lifted 225 lbs 21 times with a torn labrum that he will have surgery on in a few weeks. He also ran a 4.33 40.

He had 10 career interceptions and you can read the write up from Scout.com, as apparently the defense he played in had him playing a lot of safety. Phins Rock had this young man in his mock draft, but in the 6th round to Miami. He will go much earlier than that.

There are many small school prospects that have emerged as potential high round draft picks this year, but one that’s gaining the most momentum because of his size and versatility is Indiana University of Pennsylvania cornerback Akwasi Owusu-Ansah. Owusu-Ansah’s ability to play cornerback, safety and even star as a return specialist has intrigued teams this offseason, and he’s now enjoying the benefit of his success.

Owusu-Ansah maybe a small school prospect, but there's nothing small about his game.IUP Athletics

Scout.com has learned that Owusu-Ansah will visit the Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins this week, and both teams are interested in playing the 6-foot, 207-pound defensive back at free safety.

The Cowboys are looking for a playmaker in their secondary to challenge hard-hitting safety Ken Hamlin as the team’s starting free safety. Hamlin brings an intimidating presence to the field, but he’s limited in coverage and has poor ball skills; Owusu-Ansah would be a huge upgrade over Hamlin. As far as the Dolphins, they decided to cut ties with over-priced 2008 free agent signee Gibril Wilson this offseason, and they’re taking an aggressive approach in their search for a safety option in the draft. The Dolphins have expressed interest in at least a handful of safeties this offseason, including Georgia’s Reshad Jones, who Scout.com reported three weeks ago would visit the Dolphins on March 29th and 30th.

Even though Owusu-Ansah is listed as a cornerback, in college he basically served as the team’s free safety. At IUP, the defensive structure calls for a lot of two-deep coverage where Owusu-Ansah played field corner, which requires him to function as a free safety. But at IUP, the linebackers and safeties amassed most of the tackles - that’s why Owusu-Ansah, who was the last line of defense, didn’t record many tackles during his career; he had 14 tackles in 2008 and 27 this past year. Owusu-Ansah is a physical player and will be a dynamic player at the next level; don’t let his lack of tackles alter your view of him as a prospect.

During his career, Owusu-Ansah dominated the competition at the Division II level and generated some impressive statistics during his two-year stint as a starter; intercepting 10 passes (eight of them came during the 2008 season) and totaling nine touchdowns (four on punt returns, three on kickoffs, one on an interception and another returning a fumble) in his career. This past year, Owusu-Ansah scored five (three on punt returns and two on kickoffs) of his nine career touchdowns and was one of the most electric return specialists on any level in the nation.

For his efforts this past year, Owusu-Ansah received an invitation to the East-West Shrine Game, but was unable to participate due to a shoulder injury he suffered in the season finale. But, he didn’t miss his opportunity to shine in front of scouts at the NFL Scouting Combine, and at that forum he showcased his talents. Owusu-Ansah ran a 4.32 in the 40, posted a 35.5-inch vertical and a 10-foot broad jump; he didn’t bench in Indianapolis, because his shoulder wasn’t 100-percent.

On March 12th, Owusu-Ansah participated in the Ohio State Pro Day and continued to wow scouts with his natural ability. Surprisingly, he decided to run the 40 again and turned in another stellar time of 4.33, but scouts were shocked when he decided to participate in the bench press. With an injured shoulder, Owusu-Ansah put up 225 pounds 21 times and exceeded NFL personnel’s expectations. Shortly after the OSU Pro Day, it was revealed that Owusu-Ansah had a labrum tear in his shoulder, which he had surgery on two weeks ago.Despite having surgery on his shoulder, Owusu-Ansah could ultimately be selected in the second round. The team that drafts him understands that he won’t be ready for mini-camp after the draft, but he will be 100-percent by training camp this summer. Owusu-Ansah is currently the 9th rated cornerback listed on Scout.com’s 2010 NFL Draft Rankings.

I am actually in my second semester at IUP up here in PA. Akwasi is a freak and in my opinion is a third round pick at latest, I would be shocked to see him make it to the fourth. If he ran a 4.47, he plays faster than he runs on paper. I have only seen him play 3 times this year, but witnessed both a punt and a kick return for a touchdown and he was clearly the fastest player on the turf . The games I saw, he clearly took the opponent's top receiver out of the game. Not a big tackler, I do not know how well he would do as a safety, but bottom line the kid is a baller. I saw him once at our schools cafe, scary lookin guy, I would guess he was a linebacker.